Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein (15) grew up in Kansas, but got a taste of the Louisville rivalry last season. His freshman teammates, most of them also from out of state, haven't had that opportunity.

Written by

Kyle Tucker

The clash of Cats and Cardinals is much more complex than a difference in animal. It is a strange juxtaposition: a rivalry so bitter for the fans that two elderly men would assault each other during dialysis treatment over one's allegiance to red rather than blue - true story - yet carried on by players who hardly understand why all the fuss.

Both the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville basketball programs recruit nationally, which means better talent but also fewer on the rosters who can ever fully understand the fervor that it stirs across the state when they play. As they ...